Baptismal Salvation - Listed below is what this denomination believes."In Holy Baptism, God liberates us from sin and death by joining us to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Born children of a fallen humanity, in the baptismal waters we become God’s reborn children and inherit eternal life. By water and the Holy Spirit we are made members of the Church, which is Christ’s body. As we live with him and with his people, we grow in faith, love and obedience to God’s will. ELCA Service of Holy Baptism (paraphrased), Lutheran Book of Worship pg 121". "ELCA Lutherans believe that Baptism is the Church’s entry rite. Baptism brings us into the Church, Christ’s living body on earth." "Luther said, "... when the Word accompanies the water, Baptism is valid, even though faith be lacking (emphasis added). For my faith does not constitute Baptism, but receives it."" "Luther’s Large Catechism (IV, 83) instructs that Baptism "overcomes and takes away sin."" "ELCA Lutherans believe that baptism addresses itself to the question of salvation. In God’s gift of Baptism we are assured the forgiveness of sins to live a free, responsible and joyful life - in order that we might be saved everlastingly. With Luther we can say that, "No greater jewel ... can adorn our body and soul than Baptism, for through it we obtain perfect holiness and salvation, which no other kind of life and no work on earth can acquire." (Source: www.elca.org/questions/Results.asp?recid=29 )To find out what is wrong with baptismal salvation, please view our link on that topic here .

Infant Baptism - Listed below is what this denomination believes."In fact, usually ELCA Lutherans bring their infants to the baptismal font within the first months – even weeks – of a child’s life. "The fact that circumcision (which occurred on an infant’s eighth day) was replaced by Baptism in Jewish-Christian circles may indicate that infant baptism was assumed from the first". (Source: www.elca.org/questions/Results.asp?recid=29) To find out what is wrong with infant baptism, please view our link on that topic here .

Ecumenical - Listed below is what this denomination believes."Churches in Full Communion: Lutheran World Federation; The Episcopal Church, USA; The Moravian Church in America; Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); Reformed Church in America; United Church of Christ." (Sources: www.elca.org/ecumenical/, www.elca.org/ecumenical/vision.html) To find out what is wrong with Ecumenicism, please view our link on that topic here .

Ordination of Homosexuals"The PC(USA) has voted to change its constitution, after 33 years of debate, and allow openly gay people in same-sex relationships to be ordained as ministers, elders and deacons. They will become the fourth mainline Protestant church to do so, joining the Episcopal and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as well as the United Church of Christ. (The largest mainline Protestant denomination, the United Methodist Church, is still fighting over the issue)." [NYTimes.com, Yahoo.com]

Homosexuality - Listed below is what this denomination believes."All people are welcome in ELCA congregations The 1991 Churchwide Assembly (CWA) – the highest legislative body of the ELCA – affirmed "... that gay and lesbian people, as individuals created by God, are welcome to participate fully in the life of the congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America." This policy was reaffirmed by the 1995 CWA, and the 1999 CWA further encouraged discerning conversation about homosexuality and the inclusion of gay and lesbian persons in our common life and mission." (Source: www.elca.org/questions/Results.asp?recid=19) To find out what is wrong with Homosexuality, please view our link on that topic here .